A MOSAIC has been unveiled to celebrate Southampton’s historical heritage.

Four hundred years ago the Mayflower set sail from Southampton filled with people dreaming of a new start.

It crossed the Atlantic to what would become America.

Artist Will Rosie has created a mosaic to mark this historical event. His design is made up of a number of significant elements, chosen because of links to the Mayflower and the city.

Its borders have strips of red and white Tudor roses that were adopted by the town of Southampton in the 16th century.

The centre of the design is the artist’s impression of how the Mayflower might have looked moored up next to Southampton’s ancient walls and defensive towers.

Will has previously covered parts of the city in Mr Men, Little Miss and Superhero mosaics

The finished mosaic was officially unveiled in the Marlands Shopping Centre, by Cllr. Alex Houghton in his first public appearance as Sheriff of Southampton.

Cllr Peter Baillie said that the mosaic, on loan from the office of the Mayor of Southampton, is a masterpiece that far exceeded his expectations, and hopes that it will eventually find a permanent home within the walls of the Old Town. The art would certainly add to the city’s increasingly rich heritage, he added.

Marlands’ deputy centre manager, Julie Warren said she is “delighted that the amazing mosaic is being displayed in the Marlands’ atrium” and welcomes people to come in and view it.

To see the mosaic on display, visit the Marlands Shopping Centre on Civic Centre Road.

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